IGS UK (United Kingdom)

Title: Geocell Retaining Structures
Speaker: Richard Heritage, Geotechnical Engineer, ABG Geosynthetics Limited

JOINT MEETING with University of Manchester

Date: Monday 4th February 2019

Sackville Street
Manchester
M1 3WE
6.00pm for 6.30pm

Synopsis:
Geocells – also known as cellular confinement systems – are typically made from high strength polymer or dense needlepunched non woven geotextile in a ‘honeycomb’ structure which is backfilled with site won or imported soil. First developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1975, geocells were devised for building tactical roads over soft ground. This was then extended to stacking several geocells to create miltary bunkers filled with locally won soils to prevent blast or ram raiding during enemy attack.

Geocells have been developed for the civil market in a variety of applications including retaining stuructures – as a form of mechanically stabilised earth wall. A geocell retaining wall is constructed by stacking panels of cells on top of one another, sometimes in combination with geogrid reinforced soil where the geocells act as a flexible facing element.Geocell retaining structures can offer a number of significant benefits to traditional solutions; allowing the re-use of site won material, ease of construction with a flexible finish, significant cost savings, and environmental benefits from a green finish and reduced carbon footprint.

This presentation will look at the methods and considerations necessary in the design process for using geocell retaining walls, will discuss considerations for construction, and the advantages and disadvantages of using geocell retaining walls in different situations as told through various case histories.

About the Speaker:
Richard provides design solutions and undertakes ongoing research at ABG Geosynthetics Limted. Richard has 15 years experience as a geotechnical engineer primarily in New Zealand and the UK as well as across the globe. Richard has significant experience with seismic geotechnical engineering working in Christchurch, New Zealand after the 2010/2011 earthquakes.

Event Flyer: IGS UK Flyer – Manchester Uni Event_4Feb19

Rankine Lecture: Design methods for geosynthetics used for erosion of channels and river banks
Speaker: David Shercliff, ABG.

JOINT MEETING with Yorkshire Geotechnical Group
Tuesday 5th February 2019
University of Sheffield, The Diamond Building, 32 Leavygreave Road, Sheffield, S3 7RD.

refreshments from 6.00pm for 6.30pm start

The design of geosynthetics used in erosion control on river and channels has evolved over the last 50 years and much empirical experience has been gained. Geosynthetics filters have developed to meet the demands of an often harsh environment placed on a wide range of soils. Academic studies have developed an equally wide range of complex filter rules. However designers do not always have the luxury of time to mount a sophisticated soil investigation and then to select the ideal filter. This presentation seeks to offer some practical design rules and tables, including recently published geosynthetic selection tools published by the Dutch authorities. Reference is also made to the concept of a managed overtopping of embankments and the need for reinforced engineered vegetation.

See Flyer (YGG Flyer): 050219 – Flyer – YGG – Erosion